Occupation symbols

Occupation symbols refers primarily to symbols of Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in their occupying neighbouring countries under the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. While the exact set varies from country to country, the following symbols are usually considered to fall into this category [Postimees/BNS 22 August 2006: [http://www.postimees.ee/230806/esileht/siseuudised/214302.php Okupatsioonisümbolite kasutamine võib muutuda karistatavaks] ] :

* Hammer and sickle
* Red Star
* Nazi swastika
* Schutzstaffel insignia

Other symbols, such as flags of the Soviet SSRs, are sometimes also included.

The concept is sometimes discussed in a wider context of "symbols of totalitarian regimes". That wider category includes, in addition to the symbols of communist USSR and Nazi Germany regimes, symbols such as those used by the fascism-era Spain (see Falange) or late Empire of Japan before and during World War II.

Legal status

In formerly occupied countries

In some countries formerly occupied by either Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, or both, some or all of these symbols are banned from public display, and violation of this law carries more or less severe penalties. Individual countries' view on displaying occupation symbols diverge. In the extremes of the spectrum are the Republic of Hungary, where all of the four mentioned, as well as others, are banned, and the Republic of Estonia, where there is (as of 2007) no law banning any of them.

In formerly occupying countries

In Germany and Austria, which were the culprits, and not victims, in these occupations, the Nazi swastika and the SS insignia are banned from public display under a separate, though related legal concept of activities directed against the lawful order of the state.

Russian Federation denies Soviet occupations, and consequently, does not recognise the concept of occupation symbols.

European Union

In 2005, a number of Eastern European member states of the European Union proposed an EU-wide ban of public display of the occupation symbols. [Baltic Times 2 February 2005: [http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/11860/ MEPs: ban hammer, sickle and swastika] ] The ban on socialist symbols was strongly opposed by the Russian Federation [International Herald Tribune 5 May 2005: [http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/04/news/russia5.php Troubled past clings to Russia's celebrations] by Steven Lee Myers] [Kontingent 22 May 2007: [http://www.continent.kz/eng/2007/09/1e.html Urgent issue: The Sacred bronze monument] by Sultan Akimbekov] . Supporters of the ban on Nazi symbols inclued the Federal Republic of Germany, which considers Nazi occupations a shameful part of its history, and is dedicated to avoiding new rise of nazism anywhere. After thorough debate, the ban was rejected in its stronger form, though several member states have promised to undertake banning public display of occupation symbols when such display happens in connection with promoting xenophobia or other forms of social hatred.

References